By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The election results for Wood County were certified this morning, showing Joel Kuhlman retaining his tight victory over Corey Speweik, a break in a tie vote in Jerry City, and the need for a recount in Milton Township.
The Wood County Board of Elections also talked about confidence in the election, and odd write-in candidates for the presidency over the years.
But first, the final numbers in close races.
With 1,635 provisional ballots added to the election night results, Joel Kuhlman held onto the Wood County Common Pleas Judge seat. According to board of elections members Mike Zickar and Andy Newlove, Kuhlman will be the first Democrat to hold a county judge seat at least since the Civil War.
On election night, Kuhlman led Speweik by 270 votes. As of this morning, the final certified count showed Kuhlman building a bit on that lead, with 28,300 votes to Speweik’s 27,999 votes – a difference of 301 votes.
On election night, a renewal levy in the village of Jerry City was tied. But as of this morning’s certified results, the levy lost by five votes with 84 residents voting for the levy and 89 voting against.
The official results showed the need for one automatic recount. Milton Township’s request for an additional 1.5-mill levy, passed by one vote, with 271 for the levy and 270 against. The recount will be conducted on Nov. 23.
Terry Burton, of the Wood County Board of Elections, said a state mandated audit involving hand counting ballots will be conducted, beginning on Nov. 30.
“Everybody gets real excited about hand counting – until they do it,” he said.
Burton talked about the questions of election fraud being brought up on the national level. He assured that the local election was run properly.
“Nobody’s in a back room flipping switches,” he said.
Nationally, some officials are unfortunately blaming legitimate losses on cheating, he added.
“I think this is going to take on a life of its own out there on the internet,” Burton said. “I don’t honestly think election officials elsewhere are doing anything wrong.”
Locally, people are already calling the elections office about filing information for next year, he said.
“There’s always another election,” Zickar said.
The board also talked about all the organizations and individuals who helped with the Nov. 3 election, such as the creation of online training for poll workers due to COVID-19, said Carol DeJong, of the elections board.
“There are a number of unsung heroes who came through,” Burton said.
Zickar inquired about any odd write-in candidates for the presidential election. One submission stuck out in Burton’s mind – the team of Pee Wee Herman and Chuck Norris.
